DO | MAKE

When 'do' or 'make' are used as main verbs it can Do

be confusing to ESL learners. The verb 'make' goes
with some words and the verb 'do' with other We use the verb 'do' when someone performs an
words. action, activity or task.

do a crossword do the washing

do the ironing do the washing up
do the laundry

'Do' is often used when referring to work of any

kind.

do your work do housework

do homework do your job

!Note - these activities do not usually produce a
physical object.
'Do' for General Ideas
Use the verb 'do' when speaking about things in
general. In other words, to describe an action
without saying exactly what the action is. This form
is often used with the words 'something, nothing,
anything, everything, etc.'
I'm not doing anything today.
He does everything for his mother.
She's doing nothing.
Important Expressions with 'Do'
There are a number of standard expressions that
take the verb 'do'. The best solution is to try to
learn them.

do badly do time - (to go to prison)

do business do well
do the dishes do your best
do a favour do your hair
do good do your nails
do harm do your worst

Make make a meal - breakfast / lunch / dinner

We use the verb 'make' for constructing, building or !Note - these activities usually create something
creating that you can touch.

make a dress Important Expressions with 'Make'

make food
make a cup of tea / coffee There are a number of standard expressions that
take the verb 'make'. The best solution is to try to
'Make' is often used when referring to preparing learn them.
food of any kind.

make amends make friends make a point

make arrangements make a fuss make a profit
make believe - (to pretend) make a journey make a promise
make a choice make love make a remark
make a comment make a mess make a sound
make a decision make a mistake make a speech
make a difference make money make a suggestion
make an effort make a move make time
make an enquiry make a noise make a visit
make an excuse make a payment make your bed - (to prepare
make a fool of yourself make a phone call the bed for sleeping in)
make a fortune make a plan
Like vs. As
English Grammar Rules
We generally use LIKE and AS to make comparisons.
LIKE
LIKE = similar to; the same as.
The structure of the sentence is usually: VERB +
LIKE + NOUN / PRONOUN.
 He speaks like a native speaker. (= He
speaks similar to a native speaker)
 She looks like a supermodel.
 You look like him.
 Stop behaving like animals!
LIKE is mainly used as a comparison.
AS
AS = the way; in the same way; in the same
condition
The structure of the sentence is usually: AS +
SUBJECT + VERB.
 Nobody sings as she does. (= Nobody sings in
the same way she does)
 They went to the party as they were.
 Please don't use my plate as an ashtray.
 As I said before, we have to get ready.
Notice how you could replace AS with 'the way' or
'in the same way' and maintain the same meaning.
It is common in American English to use LIKE instead
of AS. However, it is generally considered informal
to use it in this way.
 We play football like champions do.
Another use of AS is to say what
the role/position/function of a person/thing is.
 He started work as a carpenter.
 She used the tapestry as decoration in her
living room.
 I worked as an English teacher at the school.
LIKE vs. AS
Be careful, in similar sentences that use LIKE and
AS, the meanings of each sentence are very
different. For example:
 As your boss, I must warn you to be careful.
(I am your boss - I am in the role of boss -
REALITY.)
 Like your boss, I must warn you to be
careful. (I am not your boss, but he/she and
I have a similar opinion. - COMPARISON)
Another example with different meanings:
 This curry is hot, like all good curries. (Like
+ Noun Phrase)
= Similar to all good curries
 This curry is hot, as it should be. (As +
Clause)
= Comparing to the way a curry should be.
Notice how after AS there is a Subject + Verb
(= a clause)
AS IF

In English we also use as if to make comparisons. However it has a few distinct characteristics to its use:
1. The verb after AS IF is always in the past subjunctive, no matter what tense the sentence is.
2. If the verb BE directly follows AS IF, we use were for all personal pronouns.
 He looks as if he knew the answer... but he doesn't.
(The verbs LOOKS indicates this sentence is in the present – but the verb after AS IF – knew - is in the past
subjuntive).
 She walks as if she were a supermodel.
(The verb after AS IF – be – has been changed to were and not was).
 He boarded the airplane as if he were a seasoned traveller.
 He spends money as if he owned a bank.
Using AS + Adjective + AS
We use this structure to talk about people, animals or things which are equal in some way. This is a form of
comparison.
 Chris is as tall as his brother.